Harlequin American Romance October 2013 Bundle: Twins Under the Christmas TreeBig Sky ChristmasHer Wyoming HeroA Rancher's Christmas

by Marin Thomas

  He could tell his efforts to stay calm and rational were having the opposite reaction on Olive. Her eyes were brilliant green, her face red, her lips tight. Pressure was building up in her like steam from a kettle under the heat.

  “I’d like to know what Brock would say about this.” Her voice was full of indignation. “If he only knew...”

  In a flash of anger—that she would bring this up, that she would stoop so low—Jackson spoke without thinking. “But Brock doesn’t know. And he can’t. Because he’s gone.”

  Olive gasped at his blunt words and Winnie touched his sleeve as if to restrain him. She looked shocked and confused.

  And why wouldn’t she? He’d told her that he considered a relationship between the two of them inappropriate. Now here he was, defending their kiss to Brock’s mother.

  Olive planted her hands on her hips. “I guess you’re right, Jackson. I can’t tell you what to do. But let’s just say I’m extremely disappointed.” She narrowed her eyes at Winnie. “With both of you.”

  * * *

  NO SOONER HAD Olive left the barn than Red Rover’s tail went up and a patty of poop plopped out.

  Jackson patted his horse. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  Winnie laughed, a nervous, forced sound. “That was awful. I shouldn’t have followed you out here.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can just imagine what she’s going to tell all the others when she gets back in the house.”

  “I bet she says nothing.” Jackson suspected Olive would stay silent, hoping her condemnation would stop their budding relationship from going any further. “But either way, it isn’t her business. This is between you and me.”

  “Maybe. But as Bobby’s grandmother and an important citizen of this community, Olive has the power to make both of our lives miserable.”

  “That’s true. But I’m sick of being pushed around and manipulated by that woman.” He took a deep breath. “We should go out tomorrow night, Win. Just the two of us.”

  She looked at him dubiously. “I’d like that. But are you sure it’s a good idea?”

  He wasn’t. But damn it. A man could only take so much. “These past couple of weeks, trying to avoid you and not think about you... They’ve been hell.”

  “For me, too,” she said softly. “But it’s the Thanksgiving weekend. Might be hard to find a sitter.”

  He’d never dated a single mom before. This was going to be complicated. But before he could come up with a plan B, she had one.

  “How about you come over to my place for dinner?”

  He was about to say yes when he realized that wasn’t fair to Maddie. She’d hired him to be more than a ranch foreman. He was supposed to be providing her with care and companionship, as well. If he went out tomorrow, that would make two meals she’d spent on her own over the Thanksgiving weekend.

  So he made a counter offer. “Why don’t you let me cook for you? Would you and Bobby like to come out to Silver Creek?”

  “Seriously? You’ll cook?”

  “Sure. If you bring another one of those pies. I’m thinking of Maddie, of course.”

  She laughed.

  It was a real laugh this time, and the tight ball of tension in his gut finally loosened. He felt a smile break out on his face.

  “It’s a deal.” She glanced toward the house. “Should we head in now?”

  “You go ahead. I’ll finish up with Red Rover. It would be diplomatic if we didn’t enter the house together.”

  She nodded her agreement. “So Bobby and I will see you tomorrow?”

  “Yup. Around five good?”

  She agreed, then slipped out the door. He resisted the urge to watch as she walked away. Instead he focused on his horse, finishing the rubdown that Winnie had interrupted earlier.

  In the wake of Winnie’s departure it seemed as if a warm glow lingered in the barn. But slowly the warmth faded and he was left realizing that he’d been so determined to defy Olive, he’d gone against his own better judgment.

  Could he really date Winnie without feeling guilty about Brock?

  He didn’t know.

  But it seemed he was going to give it a try.

  * * *

  “WHAT GIVES WITH you and Jackson?”

  Laurel was in the passenger seat of Winnie’s SUV. It was Black Friday and they were on their way to Lewistown to do some shopping. They’d left Bobby and Stephanie napping at Laurel’s place, with Corb in charge. He’d been sitting on the sofa with a bag of chips and a soda watching football when they’d left.

  Winnie suspected he’d be a lot less relaxed when they returned.

  In years gone by, Black Friday had meant a chance to shop for fashions and early Christmas gifts. Today, she and Laurel were on the hunt for bargains on diapers and baby clothes.

  “Sorry to be blunt,” Laurel added. “But I’ve been dying to ask you.”

  “I give you credit for waiting this long.”

  “I was hoping you’d bring it up first.”

  Laurel’s voice was slightly reproachful, and for good reason. They didn’t normally keep secrets from one another.

  “Let me ask you something first. What did Olive say yesterday when she came in from the barn?”

  “She said she had a headache. Then she went into her room and slammed the door shut.”

  “That’s it? She didn’t say anything about...”

  Laurel sighed. “She didn’t need to. The chemistry between you and Jackson yesterday was pretty obvious. The way you hung out together in the study before dinner. Then stared at one another all during the meal.”

  “We didn’t stare.” She glanced at her friend and noted the raised eyebrows. “We didn’t.”

  “Watch out for the cow.”

  “What?”

  “Watch out for the cow!”

  Winnie was already on the brakes at that point. Fortunately the road was dry and the car stopped without skidding. The black Angus cow standing in the dead center of the road gave her a bored look.

  “Go!” Winnie waved her hand. “Shoo.” She tried honking her horn, and the cow, after some thoughtful deliberation, finally moved a few feet over so she could pass.

  “Stupid cow.” Winnie focused on the road as she brought the car back up to speed.

  “So?” Laurel asked. “You were saying...”

  She could see she had no choice. “I know you told me it would be weird if Jackson and I had a thing. But I’ve tried not to feel that way about him, and Lord knows he’s tried not to feel that way about me, but—”

  “You can’t fight it anymore?” Laurel suggested.

  “That’s right. We can’t.” She took a deep breath, then risked a quick look at her friend. “Is this going to be a problem?”

  “Not for Corb and me.” Laurel was quick to reassure her. “I didn’t realize your feelings were already so strong or I never would have tried to talk you out of it.”

  “Really? Oh, Laurel, I’m so relieved to hear that. We’re having our first official date tonight. What do you think B.J. and Cassidy will say?”

  “I’m pretty sure they’ll be cool with it, too. But Olive is another matter.”

  “I know,” Winnie said glumly. Any other woman and she wouldn’t be too worried. But this was Olive. And for better or worse, she was still Bobby’s grandmother.

  Chapter Ten

  To say Corb was desperate to hand off responsibility for the babies when Winnie and Laurel returned from their shopping trip might have been stretching the truth.

  But not much.

  He was standing at the door to the cabin when they got out of Winnie’s car. He had on his boots and jacket and was just putting his hat on his head.

  “Hi, honey.” He kissed Laurel, th
en nodded at Winnie. “Kids are inside. I need to check on the cattle.”

  And he was gone.

  Laurel and Winnie exchanged a look, then laughed. Winnie grabbed one of Laurel’s two shopping bags, then followed her friend inside. As Corb had promised, Stephanie and Bobby were right there, on the floor in the foyer. Stephanie gnawing on a large plastic horse and Bobby trying to wrest it away from her.

  “Hey, Bobby. Leave Stephanie’s toy alone. Did you miss Mommy?” Winnie grasped him firmly under the arms, then whirled him in the air, the way he loved. Bobby giggled and forgot about the plastic horse.

  “That was fun.” Laurel set the packages on the wooden bench, then picked up her daughter. “But it’s good to be home.”

  Winnie checked the time. All day long, the prospect of her evening with Jackson had been simmering in the back of her mind. Now it was time to go. She checked her hair and makeup in the powder room, then gave Stephanie a kiss and Laurel a hug before dressing Bobby in his jacket and boots.

  “Have fun,” Laurel said, but Winnie could see the hint of worry in her eyes. Her friend was doing her best to be supportive, but she still had reservations about the wisdom of Winnie dating Brock’s foster brother.

  To be fair, so did Winnie.

  She’d baked a pumpkin pie that morning, and it was chilling in a covered cardboard box in the trunk of her car. Fortunately, the Montana weather was hovering above the freezing point, which meant the pie shouldn’t be frozen when they went to cut into it later that evening.

  It took ten minutes to drive to Silver Creek Ranch. At this time of day the sun was already very low in the sky and the dusting of snow on the ponderosa pines made every vista look like a Christmas card.

  Even the ranch house and outbuildings on Silver Creek—most of which were in need of some repair or at least a fresh coat of paint—looked beautiful when frosted with snow in the fading light. Smoke hung in billowing clouds over the chimney, and once Winnie had parked and stepped out of her SUV, she could smell the scent of hickory in the air. Something else, too. Roast beef?

  “Hey there.” Jackson appeared at the door. Dark hair almost falling over one eye, a shadow of a beard covering his chin and jaw, he made her heart stop, then start with a happy skip.

  They didn’t kiss hello. It was too soon for that.

  But when Jackson smiled, she could feel, right down to her fingertips and toes, how happy he was to see her.

  He came out to help, taking Bobby from the car seat then grabbing the diaper bag with his other hand. She rescued the pie from the trunk and followed him into the house.

  Maddie was waiting, seated at the kitchen table, her lovely eyes sparkling when she saw them. “We’re celebrating Thanksgiving a day late,” she told them. “And with prime rib rather than turkey.”

  “Sounds delish.”

  “It will be,” Jackson promised. After making sure Bobby was well out of the way, he opened the oven and pulled out a succulent-looking roast, studded with herbs and garlic. “My special recipe,” he said with a grin at her and Maddie.

  “There is something about a man at work in the kitchen...” Winnie was reminded of Vince, who, though decades older than Jackson, also managed to cook without compromising a shred of his masculinity.

  “A winning combination,” Maddie agreed.

  Winnie had brought toys for Bobby, but he ended up being much more entertained by petting and pulling on the ears of the dogs at Maddie’s feet.

  Watching him, the older woman’s smile went from delighted to sad.

  “It’s so lovely to think that this beautiful child is Brock’s son. But it makes me regret that I never told Brock how much I appreciated his help. He used to come round every month or so, you know.” She glanced at Winnie as she said this.

  “Yes. He told me the feud between you and his mother was...horse manure.”

  Maddie laughed and Jackson, who was making gravy on the wood-burning stove, chuckled, too. “I think Brock would have been a little more direct.”

  “He was,” Winnie admitted. “But you shouldn’t worry, Maddie. He knew you appreciated his efforts.”

  “I’m glad. But I still say one should never put off saying the things that need to be said.” Maddie rubbed her thumb over a ring that she wore on her little finger. It was the only jewelry she wore, Winnie noted, though the older woman had made an effort with her appearance for the evening.

  She was wearing a beautiful wool sweater, the same vivid green as her eyes. And she’d put on a little blush and mascara.

  Maddie would never be pretty, like her sister.

  But she was attractive. And when she smiled, you could sense her inner goodness.

  “You and Olive are so different,” Winnie found herself saying. “It’s hard to believe you’re sisters.”

  “I inherited my looks from our father, while Olive took after our mother. But I wonder what she looks like now? I haven’t seen my sister, except from a distance, in several decades.”

  “What was it that came between you?” Winnie couldn’t resist asking. According to Laurel, Olive resented Maddie for not letting her be by their father’s side on his deathbed. But it just seemed so unbelievable that Maddie could be so cruel.

  “Olive blamed me for keeping her from our father. But the truth was, Dad never warmed to Olive.” Maddie rubbed her ring again. “I suspect he blamed Olive for our mother’s death. Though he would never admit it, he always favored me over her.”

  “So Olive resented you for that?”

  “For good reason. I lapped up my father’s affection. Not until I was much older did I understand how hard it must have been for Olive. I’ve always wished there was some way to make amends. But Olive won’t talk to me. Years ago I tried writing letters. But they were always returned. I’ve given up on the idea of a reconciliation. But our feud... It is my life’s biggest regret.”

  The room fell silent. It seemed to Winnie that after all these years, most people would be willing to put the past behind them. But Olive wasn’t most people. The same determination and drive that had made her such a success in the ranching business was not conducive to mending fences with her sister.

  Jackson served dinner a few minutes later and Winnie enjoyed every bite, from the tender roast to the deliciously flavored gravy, roasted squash and steamed broccoli. Jackson had even baked Yorkshire pudding that was light and flavorful, as good as the ones Winnie’s own mother made at home.

  So he was gorgeous.

  And he could cook.

  Why was this terrific man still available? As far as she knew, he’d never even had a serious girlfriend.

  “Why are you giving me that look?” Jackson had been watching Maddie, making sure she ate her food and didn’t just move it from one pile on her plate to the other. Now his eyes were on Winnie, narrowing suspiciously.

  “Just wondering where the flaws are.”

  “Huh?”

  Maddie knew what she was talking about though. She patted Winnie’s hand. “Speak to me later. I’ll tell you.”

  Terribly curious, Winnie had no choice but to put the subject aside, and for a while they discussed Jackson’s plans for expanding the ranch that spring.

  Fifteen minutes later Bobby’s head was drooping.

  “I should take him home.”

  “Couldn’t he sleep here for a while?” Jackson asked quickly. “I haven’t given you the tour yet.”

  She didn’t want to leave so soon, either. She and Jackson hadn’t had a minute alone.

  And she was still hoping to talk to Maddie, as well.

  So she agreed to settle Bobby down on some cushions in the sitting room. To be safe, Maddie suggested they let the dogs outside. “It’s not that cold, and they could use a little outdoor romp.”

  “How about we put on our coats
and take a tour of the barn at the same time?” Jackson suggested.

  So they left Maddie on the reclining chair where she could keep an eye on Bobby, and with the dogs on their heels went out into the cool November evening.

  “It’s a beautiful night. Look at those stars.” She was nervous. She had to work to draw in a breath.

  Jackson took her hand in his and gave it a tight squeeze. “Thanks for being here. Maddie was so excited when I told her you and Bobby were coming for dinner.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. She takes all the blame for the rift between her and her sister. But when you compare their lives, it doesn’t seem fair. Olive had a long, happy marriage, and four healthy children. She’s made a success of her ranch, too.”

  “While Maddie has ended up sick and alone...”

  “With the ranch almost at the point of bankruptcy,” Jackson added.

  “She’s lucky to have you.”

  “Some would say I’m the one taking advantage of her.” Jackson opened the door to the barn, then pulled on a string to turn on the light.

  Winnie looked around at the roughly constructed stalls and lack of amenities. The differences between this and the high tech facilities on Coffee Creek Ranch were enormous.

  “Why do you say you’re taking advantage?”

  “Because she’s planning to leave me everything. The house and barns aren’t worth that much. But Maddie still owns a lot of land.”

  “I guess it’s her prerogative to give the land to whomever she wants.”

  “She can. But I plan on giving half of it back to the Lamberts.”

  “Would Maddie want that?”

  He hesitated. “I can’t keep it all. I’m not family.”

  That bothered him, she realized. A lot. “After your mother died, did Bob Lambert ever consider adopting you?”

  She could see a light spark in Jackson’s eyes and guessed that this had been a dream of his once.

  “He asked me if I’d like that. I said yes. The truth was, I was desperate for him to make my place in the family legal. Even though I had lived fifteen years as Jackson Stone by then, I would have gladly taken the Lambert name, as well.”